This 11 year old from Leamington spent his summers racing go-karts in England

Posted On: April 5, 2022

Christian Papp was only four years old when he first got into go-kart racing, although he was too young to compete at the time.

“I got involved because my father himself was a former go-kart racer and I think he was what attracted me and I really enjoyed it,” he said.

Now 11 years old, the Leamington, Ontario native has spent most of his weekends this summer competing in England.

Christian and his dad Jason travel across the pond for the Super One Karting Championship, a 12-race series over six weekends from April to August. Christian raced for Primo Racing of Airdrie, Scotland, in the competition.

Christian Papp, 11, from Leamington, Ontario. compete in 12 race series this summer, which runs in the UK from April to August. (Posted by Jason Papp)

Christian’s first two races are on Saturday and Sunday in Rowrah, England.

“I’m quite happy with that,” Christian says. “I only had one day to study the track and it was my first time playing go-karts since October.”

Jason Papp says he was a little older when he started the sport, but was able to keep up with professional race car drivers Danica Patrick and Sam Hornish Jr.

Christian, left, says he loves racing and makes lots of friends during competitions. (Posted by Jason Papp)

Now, Jason is watching his son enjoying sports.

“The sky is the limit,” says Jason, who is also Christian’s mechanic.

“I think the skill is there. It’s a difficult sport to progress to, unlike football or hockey or any other sport where you can develop your talent.”

Jason said the fees were a bit high, but he was looking for sponsors to support his son as he continued to travel for competitions.

LISTEN | Hear more from Christian and Jason Papp about their racing adventure:

Morning Windsor10:32kart racing

Christian Papp, an 11-year-old go kart racer, and his father Jason Papp, spoke with CBC Windsor Morning host Peter Duck about go kart racing in the UK. 10:32

Christian and his father will return to Canada between races over the next few months.

“We go back and forth every race, so I can still go to school to get a good education,” said Christian.

“It’s fine, I’m pretty good at school so it’s fine to spend a few days here and there.”

Jason said Christian has four Canadian championships so far in the five years he’s been in. Last fall, Christian represented Canada at the World Karting Championships in Italy.